STORY

Two lads with plenty of shared passions. Passions for traveling, reading, music. They love design objects, natural materials, hand-made details. They believe in – and adhere to – commitment at work, as well as a joie de vivre outlook to life. They are two die-hard dreamers, who resolved to bring their emotions to life. In the year 2010 – after years of research in scents and essences in Grasse and artisans across Italy, they established Masque. Like good musical directors, they learnt how to orchestrate a wide and well assorted group of maîtres parfumeurs and artisans. Fascinated by perfumes and fine fragrances, they strengthened their background by starting an educational programme in olfactory techniques (encompassing study of the reference books, attendance to seminars and training courses). Through hard work and dedication they became better equipped in the enticing world of noses and raw materials. They put down their memories in words, it turned out a collection of “scenes”, representing moments of their past, places visited, friendships and love, emotions and recurring dreams. “If only we could bring to life each of these scenes …we would reveal our innermost self, soaring from an absolutely intimate and ineluctably private standpoint, to view things from a universal perspective…” Not just Orchestra Directors, they now turned into playwrights and producers of an Opera. Acts and Scenes in which young and talented noses – rising stars of worldwide artistic perfumery – would wear the mask and interpret their roles. Year 2013, Masque Fragranze is born.

Alessandro

Born and raised in Milan, like any true Milanese developed the conviction that this Lombard capital is the centre of the world. As a child he loved listening to music and writing poetry with his mother, and staring at his father – a glass-blower artisan – in the workshop, creating enchanting artefacts in blown glass.

After teenage years spent studying, tutoring younger students and playing guitar in several rock and blues bands, an experience changed his life forever: a year of study in England, spent meeting exceptional people, but also time of silence and introspection. He fell in love with the land of Albion, its climate, pubs and Gothic literature.

On returning to Milan, he graduated and became a professor at Politecnico di Milano, and was hence invited to lecture in several countries. Traveling provided him unforgettable experiences, which he captured in his travel-log. He focused his scientific research on luxury goods management, and developed first-hand knowledge of the Italian artisan heritage exploring leather – learning the technique of saddle-stitching – and goldsmith's art – designing and creating handmade jewellery.

After these personal experiences he got even more convinced that each artisan’s workshop has a heritage of priceless know-how, which must be preserved and utilized. He joined forces with Riccardo, to create something unique, with the ultimate goal of letting the whole world experience the excellenceof the Italian make. Overlooking the financial crisis hitting Italy hard, they kept working stubbornly on their dream, …“sure to soar the sky”

Riccardo

Born in Assisi, medieval burg between Florence and Rome, he grew up in the heart of this Italian countryside until the age of 25. Passionate about visual arts, literature, music and mathematics, he studied classical guitar at the Conservatory of Perugia and then earned a master's degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Perugia.

On a summer evening in Florence, Riccardo met Natasha, an Australian girl who induced him to follow her to Melbourne and enroll at Monash University. In Australia he discovered the exciting world of perfumes: Natasha’s job at MOR Cosmetics revealed him a newfascinating and unexplored dimension. Riccardo found his inspiration and his path.

Upon returning to Italy, he moved to the bustling city of Milan where he worked as a consultant. His first appointment was in the group “LVMH parfum et cosmetique”, providing him the opportunity to understand the operations of prestigious perfume brands such as Dior, Guerlain, Kenzo, Givenchy and Acqua di Parma.

In the same period, he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Business School of Politecnico di Milano and met Alessandro, the eclectic and young professor who soon earned his respect and admiration. The friendship between Alessandro and Riccardo grew strong, and their shared passions for arts and perfumes encouraged them to establish their own Perfume house, free expression of creativity.